Lancaster County Public Records
Lancaster County public records are maintained by county offices located in the city of Lancaster and by South Carolina state agencies. Court filings, property documents, criminal records, and other official records are part of the public record in Lancaster County. This fast-growing Piedmont county borders Charlotte, North Carolina, and records activity reflects that growth. Residents and researchers can search many Lancaster County public records online or obtain them through a formal request to the appropriate office.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Court Records
The Lancaster County Clerk of Court maintains all court records at the Lancaster County Courthouse. Circuit Court records include General Sessions criminal cases and Common Pleas civil cases. Family Court handles divorce, custody, support, and domestic matters. Magistrate Court covers small claims and minor offenses. Court files are stored at the courthouse and are available during regular business hours. Staff can help with lookups, certified copies, and document requests.
The SC Judicial Branch Public Index for Lancaster County is available at no charge at publicindex.sccourts.org. Search by party name or case number. Results show case type, charges, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case status. Real-time docket updates allow you to track ongoing cases. Certified copies of documents cost approximately $0.25 per page plus certification. Probate Court matters are handled through the Lancaster County Probate Court.
Note: Juvenile records and sealed cases are restricted in Lancaster County and are not accessible through the public online index.
Lancaster County Property Records
The Lancaster County Register of Deeds records real property documents for the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, UCC statements, and marriage licenses are all filed and stored here. Property records are public information in Lancaster County. Certified copies of recorded documents are available to anyone. The Register of Deeds is accessible through the county website at lancastercountysc.net.
Online property searches, recorded document lookup, and e-recording services are available for Lancaster County. Search by grantor or grantee name, document type, or recording date. Historical property records dating back to earlier county records are archived at the Register of Deeds. Fee schedules and recording requirements are posted on the county website. Staff can assist with complex searches or historical document requests in person during office hours.
The Lancaster County Tax Assessor handles property valuations, parcel data, and tax billing. Search by owner name, parcel number, or property address to find ownership and assessment information. Tax sale information, exemptions, and appeal procedures are also managed through this office. All of these records are accessible through the Lancaster County website.
Lancaster County Criminal Records
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services and manages the county detention center. An online inmate roster is available through the Sheriff's section of the Lancaster County website at lancastercountysc.net. The roster shows current inmates with booking records, charges, and bond amounts. Records requests for incident reports and accident reports are handled by the Sheriff's records division. CCW permit applications and fingerprinting services are offered at the Sheriff's Office as well.
Official criminal history searches for Lancaster County are conducted through the SLED CATCH system at catch.sled.sc.gov. A full name and date of birth are required. Online checks cost $25 each. Qualified charities pay $8. Mail requests are accepted at SLED Records Dept., PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398. The SLED phone number is 803-896-1443.
Sex offenders registered in Lancaster County are listed at sled.sc.gov. Search by name or address. State inmates from Lancaster County can be located at the SC Department of Corrections at doc.sc.gov.
How to Request Lancaster County Public Records
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act governs public records access in Lancaster County. The law is codified at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code. All requests must be in writing. Submit your written request to the specific Lancaster County office holding the records. Requests can be sent by mail, email, or delivered in person. A reason for the request is not required.
For records under 24 months old, the Lancaster County agency has 10 business days to respond. For older records, the deadline is 20 business days. After confirming availability, the agency has 30 calendar days to produce the records, or 35 days for records more than 24 months old. Paper copies cost about $0.25 per page. Electronic delivery is free. An upfront deposit of up to 25% of total anticipated cost may be required before work starts.
Failing to respond to a valid request within the time limit means the request is considered approved for any non-exempt records. Agencies that arbitrarily deny valid requests face a $500 civil penalty. Standard exemptions include active criminal investigations, personal addresses of public employees, juvenile records, attorney-client communications, medical records, and trade secrets.
Lancaster County Records Online
The SC Public Index at sccourts.org provides free court record searches for Lancaster County and all other South Carolina counties. Look up Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Court records by name or case number. The C-Track public portal at sccourts.org/c-track-public-access provides expanded access to case data. Both tools are free and available 24 hours a day.
The SC Secretary of State business filings site at businessfilings.sc.gov covers Lancaster County businesses. Historical records are available through the SC Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov. Voter registration data is at scvotes.gov. SLED at sled.sc.gov is the starting point for criminal history and sex offender registry searches statewide.
Cities in Lancaster County
Lancaster County includes the city of Lancaster and the Fort Mill area near the York County border. Public records for all Lancaster County residents are maintained at the county offices in Lancaster.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County borders several South Carolina counties and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Each South Carolina county maintains its own public records offices.